Investment Banker Salary in India: Starting, Average, Highest Salary

One of the fastest-growing sectors in the country, with an increase in demand, investment banking asks all eyes on it with its pay scale and perks. Investment banking is a popular term among young aspirants for the marked professionalism and attractive packages this profession offers. The Investment Banker salary in India is at a higher pay scale.

Investment banking has not only remained consistent but also has shown promising growth over the years. With new corporations and institutions emerging every day, the need for professional assistance, advice, and handling of large financial transactions is now needed more than ever, which explains the exponential demand for investment bankers in India and across the globe.

What Does an Investment Banker Do?

Before understanding what an Investment banker does, let's first answer the question 'what is investment banking?'

Investment banking is a definitive sector of banking aimed at generating capital for organizations, individuals, governments, and other institutions. They provide underwriting and mergers and acquisitions advisory services and act as intermediaries between investors and corporations.

Investment bankers aid their clients to obtain capital financing, and as financial advisors, they help price capital, allocate resources, and manage investments.

In general, Investment bankers assist and advise in large, complicated transactions, making it easier for individuals and associated organizations to plan and manage large projects, saving them time and money by prior identification of related risks and obstacles.

What is the Salary of Investment Bankers in India?

The average investment banker salary in India is approximately INR 9.12 LPA. Therefore, the salary of an investment banker in India per month would add to INR 76,000. However, it can be increased with good expertise and experience in the field.

The factors that affect the pay scale are:

• Skills possessed by a person
• Professional background
• Courses and certificates obtained
• Job description
• Type of firms
• The sector's location

It is statistically proven that the Investment Bankers in India receive a pay higher than the professionals working elsewhere. The high professional skills valued by the top companies are Mergers and Acquisitions, Financial Analysis, Financial Modelling, and Investment Management and Banking. Concerning experience, the recent statistical report shows that the Investment Bankers salary with 10 to 19 years of experience in India reaches up to INR 30 LPA.

Below are the average salary packages of investment bankers in India- Company-wise.

Name of the Bank	Work Experience	Average Annual Salary Package
ICICI Bank	0-5 Years	6 Lakhs
Axis Bank	0-3 Years	5.3 Lakhs
Kotak Mahindra Bank	0-2 Years	2.6 Lakhs
Induslnd Bank	0-5 Years	5.2 Lakhs
Yes Bank	1-9 Years	18.5 Lakhs
Federal Bank Ltd	0-4 Years	4.4 Lakhs
IDFC First Bank Ltd	0-2 Years	3 Lakhs
Goldman Sachs	1-10 Years	17-43 Lakhs
J P Morgan	0-9 Years	20 Lakhs

Below are the average salary packages of investment bankers in India- State-wise.

• Mumbai- Here is the list of Banks situated in Mumbai providing jobs for Investment Bankers.

Name of the Bank	Average Salary
Centrum Capital	14.3 LPA
Motilal Oswal Financial Services	20.7 LPA
Ambit	9 LPA
Axis Capital	14 LPA
The Rainmaker Group	40.5 LPA

• Bangalore- Bangalore is another city that is famous for its booming IT sector and hub for different tech companies.

Name of the Bank	Average Salary
ICICI Bank	5.2 LPA
HSBC Bank	6 LPA
Standard Chartered	5 LPA
Bank of America	12 LPA

• Pune- The largest second city in Maharashtra. Famous for IT Hub and top at the automobile and manufacturing hub of India. 

Name of the Bank	Average Salary
ICICI Bank	5.2 LPA
HDFC Bank	4.02 LPA
HSBC Bank	7 LPA
Axis Bank	5 LPA

• Hyderabad- Hyderabad is also known as the largest contributor to the gross domestic product (GDP).

Name of the Bank	Average Salary
ICICI Bank	19 LPA
HSBC Bank	20 LPA
Kotak Mahindra	3 LPA
HDFC Bank	11 LPA

• Delhi- Capital of India and the second wealthiest city in India. It also has the second-highest GDP per capita in India. Delhi stands as one of the major business cities.

Name of the Bank	Average Salary
ICICI Bank	2.58 LPA
HDFC Bank	4.02 LPA
Standard Chartered Bank	6.30 LPA
Axis Bank	4.25 LPA
Kotak Mahindra Bank	4 LPA

Investment Banking Jobs Roles with Salary

These professionals fit as mergers, capital marketers, sales employees and work based on the customers' financial needs and goals. They can enter into the banking sector or become a private consultant for a company to take care of their funds. The additional job designations similar to banking sectors are Marketing and Communication Specialist, Business Analyst, Relationship Management, and Financial Research Analyst.

The task of Investment Bankers is to get track of the goals fixed by their customers and then analyze the more relevant schemes and strategies to maintain the money invested. Continuous maintenance of the invested amount is also a crucial part handled by investment bankers. In an extensive sector, these people are responsible for the money transactions and statistically analyzing the financial data and the money earned through the other investments.

Their job responsibilities include creating awareness for the companies on the various investment assets available and collaborative projects and comparing different investment areas.

The various job designations available in the Investment Banking sector are:

1. Financial Analyst
2. Business Analyst
3. Investment Banking Associate
4. Finance Manager and Finance Director

Financial Analyst

The financial analyst designation is particularly assigned to freshers. The primary job role is to formulate a well-researched pitch book that contains all the idealistic concepts of investing the asset for the client meetings. In addition, their daily tasks are to research, analyze, and present investment banking methodologies.

The skills required for these professionals are Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, Excel, Accounting, and Data Analysis. These employees receive an average pay of INR 5 LPA. However, with experience, the payment might rise to INR 6 LPA.

Business Analyst

These analysts are similar to financial analysts, but they concentrate on the business process in particular. They analyze the previously existing methods in the sector, implement ideologies that profit, and suggest ways to invest the asset according to the type of business.

The most wanted core skills for Business Analysts are Business Strategies, Project Management, Excel sheets, and SQL.

The average salary offered to Business Analysts is INR 6 LPA. Individual notable companies offer up to INR 7 LPA

Investment Banking Associate

It is considered as an upgrade to the financial analyst position. They are also responsible for analyzing the investment strategies as the other analysts, and also serve as an intermediate for the junior analyst and the senior banking officials. At times they also get to maintain the client portfolio and directly engage with the clients.

The core skills required are Financial Modelling, Risk Management, Financial Analysis, and Operations Management.

The average pay for Investment Banking associates is INR 6.9 LPA, and the maximum income received by these professionals is INR 10 LPA.

Finance Manager and Finance Director

Finance Managers and directors are the high-profile job designations available in the banking sector. They have wide varieties of roles to play in the industry; they handle the relationships with the clients and make decisions regarding the investment suitable for the portfolio. They also review the strategies proposed by other analysts and associates.

The core skills that any Finance Manager should possess are Accounting, Budgeting, Advanced Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, and overall Management. The core skills for the Finance Director are Strategic Planning, Finance Management, Finance Reporting, Budgeting, and Accounting.

The average pay for a Finance Manager is around INR 10 LPA, and the average salary offered for Finance Directors is around INR 36 LPA.

Investment Banking invests a person or a company's finances in a particular asset or provides suggestions for the big firms to plow their money into the most profitable zone. So many banks operate as dedicated investment places and direct their customers to make accurate financial decisions. As a result, this financial sector holds a more significant value since they are well versed in the best financial practices.

Various Job Roles:

Tabulated below is the structure and hierarchy in Investment Banking along with the average salary.

Job Role	Average Salary Offered
Investment Banking Analyst	INR 5 LPA
Business Analyst	INR 6 LPA
Investment Banking Associate	INR 6.9 LPA
Finance Manager	INR 10 LPA
Finance Director	INR 36 LPA

How to Become an Investment Banker India?

In India, to become an investment banker, a specific stream or course is not required. Therefore, anyone with an analytical mind and an interest in financial assets and investing can successfully become a potential Investment banker.

Here are some of the basic qualifications needed for a path towards the field of Investment Banking.

• Must have passed 10+2 from a recognized board with at least 50% marks.
• Must have completed graduation or post-graduation from an appropriate field.

Investment Banking Courses

The most popular course opted by the students to pursue an investment banking career is MBA. However, there are various finance certification courses offered in the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute to professionals.

Below are listed the courses needed for entering into the investment banking industry.

• MBA

As MBA Finance teaches students all the disciplines required for investment banking, such as finance, accounting, business, marketing, management, accounting, and leadership skills, it is the preferred course recruiters look for in an applicant's profile. An MBA from a top-tier institution would prove to be a cakewalk toward the investment banking arena for an applicant.

• CFA

The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Programme trains candidates in investment and finances, which qualifies CFAs as one of the best suitable for the field. Most top recruiting companies prefer this course.

• CA

A CA's (Chartered Accountant) knowledge in finance, Valuations, Merger and Acquisitions, IPO, equity, debt, and capital market make them not only eligible but preferable too for the field of investment banking.

Investment Banking Skills

The stiff competition in investment banking has made it difficult even for the finest to enter this sector. A suitable degree in hand would not be all for this job, and one must possess a particular set of skills vital to sustaining in this financial field.

Some of the core skills are listed down,

1. Firm knowledge and experience in financial modeling.
2. Strategies to manage the investments.
3. Fundamental knowledge of banking and financial analysis,
4. Practical wisdom on research methodologies.
5. Technical understanding of share market.
6. Capable of experimenting with new policies.

Some of the soft skills involved are as follows,

1. Strong communication skills.
2. Patience and Self-restraint.
3. Strong numerical, quantitative, and analytical skills.
4. Ability to work fast and long hours.
5. Problem-Solving skills.
6. The composed mindset to explain technical aspects to the customers.
7. Seeking out new opportunities.
8. Entrepreneurial and networking skills.

Apart from all the skills listed above, the candidates should possess considerable knowledge of mutual funds, insurance policies, marketing, equity securities, corporate trading, sales and trading, risk management, global transaction, and technology related to Investment Banking. It is also necessary to update the knowledge according to the trends in the financial sector.

Investment Banking Companies

The top recruiters of Investment Banking are banks, consultancy companies, government finance sectors, and other notable companies seeking an accountant like Accenture.

The top headhunters for Investment Bankers in India are

• Axis Bank
• Goldman Sachs
• Ambit Corporate Finance
• A.K.Capital Services
• Birla Capital and Financial Services
• Canara Bank
• Central Bank of India
• HDFC Banks
• ICICI Securities Limited
• Indian Overseas Bank
• JP Morgan India Private Limited
• Union Bank of India
• State Bank of India
• Karvy Investor Services Limited
• Citigroup
• Deutsche Bank
• Credit Suisse
• Barclays Capital
• UBS
• Wells Fargo
• HSBC Holdings
• Accenture

Is Investment Banking Worth It?

Now that we've covered almost everything about investment banking, let's look at some of the perks and difficulties the job has to offer. So here we've shortlisted the pros and cons of being an Investment Banker.

Investment Banker - Pros

Listed below are the pros of being an Investment Banker:

• Handsome salaries
• Fancy lifestyle
• One can get to work with the best people
• One can build a strong business network

Investment Banker - Cons

Listed below are the cons of being an Investment Banker:

• Long exhaustive hours
• Cutthroat competition

Investment Banking Scope in India

The financial sector never gets drowned as the business minds are impeccably essential for any company. So, the Investment Banking field has a broad scope now and in the future worldwide. Almost all companies need these banking professionals to manage their accounts.

They invest their capital in a suitable platform or gain awareness about the current financial market to invest in any other business.

What Does the Future Have in Store for an Investment Banker?

Investment banking is one of the most trending terms in the world of financing. Many fantasize about being an Investment banker. Unfortunately, this lucrative and one of the best-paying jobs in the world is also one of the hardest. The limited jobs in the domain push the recruiters to pick the best and talented aspirants only. Thus, it makes it difficult for a fresher to enter this field.

The increasing demand and growing popularity are luring in more aspiring candidates. Nonetheless, if you have an analytical mind, the skills required for the job, and an avid interest in investment banking, you can make your path towards it.